The RSB certification encompasses three of GCEH’s jatropha farms in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, all of which are owned and operated by GCEH.

Currently the largest actively cultivated jatropha project in the Americas, GCEH’s completion of RSB certification offers tangible evidence that sustainable biofuel feedstocks can be produced at a large scale while adhering to ambitious social and environmental standards. The summary report of the audit is available on the RSB website, www.rsbservices.org. The audit was conducted by SCS Global Services, an RSB-accredited certification body based in San Francisco, California.

“We are delighted that GCEH has embraced the RSB principles and criteria.” says Peter Ryus, CEO of RSB Services Foundation. “GCEH’s commercial success demonstrates that efficient and thoughtful implementation of sustainable practices protects the community as well as the environment and yields positive business results.”

The RSB certification system allows farmers, feedstock processors and biofuel producers to demonstrate that their operations comply with ambitious yet practical safeguards, including, but not limited to, the protection of natural or rare ecosystems, food security, and the respect of human rights to land, water and decent work conditions, and the management of water resources.

"We are proud to report that final certification of Global Clean Energy’s farming operations by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels is complete. This certification proves our compliance with the highest sustainability standards in the biofuels industry, allowing our feedstocks to be distributed to end users who share our commitment to environmental and social responsibility,” says Richard Palmer, CEO of Global Clean Energy. “Achieving RSB certification sends a clear signal to the market that biofuels can be produced at commercial scale while maintaining a commitment to the highest sustainability principles embodied in the RSB Standard.”

“The Inter-American Development Bank is pleased to see progress in the certification of biofuels in the Region,” says Gloria Visconti, IDB lead climate specialist. “This is a successful example of how a technical cooperation given by the Bank provides the seeds for a key commitment on sustainability.”The RSB certification system is approved by the European Commission, as proof of compliance with the Renewable Energy Directive or RED (2009/28/EC). The RSB global sustainability standard represents a global consensus of over 120 organizations including farmers, fuel refiners, regulators and NGOs, and is intended to ensure the sustainability of biofuels production practices while streamlining compliance for industry.

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